Essentia Health is announcing that as of September 1, 2018, Northern Orthopedics doctors Paul Rud, Christopher Metz, Paul Thompson, Amy Lelwica, and staff will become a part of Essentia Health St. Joseph’s –Orthopedics Clinic. This development comes from a longstanding partnership and will provide patients with improved coordination of care between hospital, clinic and rehabilitation services. “Northern Orthopedics physicians have been providing services for 43 years and we will continue to serve patients as part of Essentia Health, including meeting the needs of patients with orthopedic concerns around the clock, 7-days a week,” said Christopher Metz, M.D.

This established collaboration will continue to provide patients with quality orthopedic care in a team approach, including the highly rated Joint Camp to help patients return to their lives quickly. Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center is the first hospital in Greater Minnesota and the second hospital in the state to earn The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Advanced Certification for Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement. The advanced certification is for centers seeking to elevate the quality, consistency and safety of their services and patient care.

“As your community hospital, Essentia Health is expanding services to meet the needs of our community,” said Adam Rees, President Essentia Health Central Market. “We’re pleased to be serving the community better than we ever have while honoring the Northern Orthopedics legacy.”